Can container and its manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a can container which has an inkjet printing image layer covering a cylindrical can body and at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the can body, and a resin film covering the can body and the inkjet printing image layer.SOLUTION: A structure of a can container 10 has a cylindrical can body 20, a digital printing image layer 34 covering at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the can body, and a resin film 32 covering the can body and the digital printing image layer 34, prepares a pattern in parallel with molding of the can container 10, and manufactures the can container 10 without impairing productivity of a canning line even when there is a difference in productivity between a canning step and a digital printing step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a can container and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to form an image by printing directly on a can body using an inkjet head (Patent Document 1). [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-108138 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a can container is provided that includes a cylindrical can body, an inkjet-printed image layer that covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the can body, and a resin film that covers the can body and the inkjet-printed image layer.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present invention, a can container is provided comprising a cylindrical can body, a digitally printed image layer covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the can body, a resin film covering the can body and the digitally printed image layer, and a varnish layer covering at least a portion of the resin film.

[0005] In addition, in a third aspect, there is provided a method for manufacturing a can container, comprising a label attachment step of attaching a printed label including an inkjet printed image layer and a resin film so as to cover at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the can body.

[0006] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] An example of a can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Diagram 2] An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Diagram 3]An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Diagram 5] An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 7] An example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] An example of a flow of a manufacturing method of the can container 10 of this embodiment by wet molding will be shown. [Figure 9] 11 shows an example of a sub-flow of wet molding in S100 in this embodiment. [Figure 10] An example of a flow of a manufacturing method of the can container 10 of this embodiment by dry molding will be shown. [Figure 11] 11 shows an example of a sub-flow of the dry molding in S110 in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0009] 1 shows an example of a can container 10 in this embodiment. A pattern or the like is formed on the can container 10 by digital printing such as inkjet printing. The can container 10 includes a lid portion 100, a body portion 200, and a bottom portion 300.

[0010] The lid 100 is provided at one end of the can container 10. The top surface of the lid 100 is open so that the contents can be filled. After the contents are filled in the lid 100, a lid including a drinking spout and the like may be placed on the lid 100 and fixed by seaming or the like. The lid 100 may have a tapered portion in which the outer diameter is reduced from the body 200 side toward the end.

[0011] The body 200 is located between the lid 100 and the bottom 300, and occupies most of the can container 10. The body 200 may have a substantially constant outer diameter in the longitudinal direction of the can container 10. Digitally printed characters, symbols, repeating patterns, design patterns, and designs (also referred to as "designs, etc.") are provided on the body 200. In the example of FIG. 1, a design 400 and characters 500 are printed on the body 200.

[0012] The bottom 300 is provided on the other end side of the can container 10 and is formed in a dome shape. The bottom 300 enables the can container 10 placed upright to stand on its own. The bottom 300 may have a constant outer diameter or may have a reduced diameter.

[0013] The can container 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be a can for a typical beverage can, but is not limited thereto. For example, the can container 10 may be a food can such as a can containing food or oil, a 18L can, or an industrial can containing medicines, reagents, industrial products, etc. The shapes of the lid 100, body 200, and bottom 300 shown in FIG. 1 are examples of a beverage can, and are not limited thereto. In addition, the can container 10 is not limited to a can before being filled with the contents, but may also include a can after being filled with the contents and an empty can after the contents have been consumed.

[0014] Fig. 2 shows an example of a layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment. For example, the can container 10 may have the layer structure shown in Fig. 2 in the can body 200. In addition, the can container 10 may also have the layer structure shown in Fig. 2 on the side surface of the lid 100 and / or the bottom 300.

[0015] The can container 10 has a can body 20, a printed label 30, and an adhesive layer 40. The contents filled in the can container 10 are located on the can body 20 side (lower side in the drawing). The can container 10 is in contact with the outside air on the printed label 30 side (upper side in the drawing). Hereinafter, the can body 20 side is also referred to as the inner surface, and the printed label 30 side is also referred to as the outer peripheral surface.

[0016] The can body 20 is a basic structure of the can container 10 and provides sufficient strength to the can container 10. The can body 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The can body 20 may be formed of a seamless can or a welded can. The surface of the can body 20 may be smooth or may be provided with irregularities (e.g., bead processing, embossing, and / or diamond cutting, etc.). The material of the can body 20 may be an aluminum can, a steel can, or other metal. The can body 20 may be surface-treated (e.g., oxide film treatment).

[0017] The printed label 30 is a film-like member on which a pattern or the like is printed, and covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the can body 20. In this way, the printed label 30 imparts a pattern or the like to the can container 10 even if the can body 20 is not directly printed on.

[0018] The printed label 30 may be provided on a part or the entirety of the body 200 of the can body 20. The printed label 30 may be provided on a part or the entirety of the lid 100 of the can body 20. The printed label 30 may be provided on a part or the entirety of the bottom 300 of the can body 20. The printed label 30 includes a resin film 32 and a digitally printed image layer 34.

[0019] In the can container 10, the resin film 32 covers the can body 20 and the digitally printed image layer 34. The resin film 32 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the printed label 30, and protects the digitally printed image layer 34 from physical damage. Furthermore, when the can container 10 is a beverage can or a food can, a retort process is performed for sterilization. In such a case, the resin film 32 prevents the digitally printed image layer 34 from coming into contact with moisture.

[0020] The resin film 32 may be a transparent film. For example, the resin film 32 may be a film that can be used as a transparent barrier film. As an example, the resin film 32 may be an oriented polypropylene (PP), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or oriented nylon film. In particular, the resin film 32 is preferably a PET film.

[0021] The resin film 32 may be surface-treated. For example, the resin film 32 may be a corona-treated film. Corona treatment can improve the adhesion between the resin film 32 and the digitally printed image layer 34. The thickness of the resin film 32 may be in the range of 1 to 100 μm, and preferably 5 to 50 μm.

[0022] The digitally printed image layer 34 forms a picture or the like. The digitally printed image layer 34 is formed on the inner surface side of the printed label 30 and covers at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the can body 20. The digitally printed image layer 34 may be formed by digital printing. For example, examples of digital printing include inkjet printing and electrophotographic printing.

[0023] The digitally printed image layer 34 may include an ink component for inkjet printing or a toner component for electrophotographic printing. As an example, when formed by inkjet printing, the digitally printed image layer 34 may be an inkjet printed image layer including a resin component and a pigment or dye. The digitally printed image layer 34 may include other additives. As an example, when formed by electrophotographic printing, the digitally printed image layer 34 may be an electrophotographic printed image layer including a resin component, a pigment, and a wax.

[0024] The digitally printed image layer 34 may be a layer on which a single-color image or the like is printed, or a layer on which a multi-color image or the like is printed. The digitally printed image layer 34 may be made up of multiple layers. For example, the digitally printed image layer 34 may be made up of two layers, a first layer and a second layer.

[0025] The first layer is located closer to the resin film 32 than the second layer, and is located on the outer peripheral surface side of the can container 10 after being attached to the can body 20. The first layer may form a pattern or the like. The second layer functions as a base and may form, for example, a solid pattern of a single color such as white, a repeating pattern such as stripes or a checkered pattern, or a pattern or the like. In one embodiment, one of the first layer and the second layer may be formed by plate printing such as gravure printing, rather than digital printing. The digitally printed image layer 34 may be three or more layers.

[0026] The thickness of the digitally printed image layer 34 may be 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. Preferably, the thickness of the digitally printed image layer 34 may be 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

[0027] The adhesive layer 40 adheres the printed label 30 to the can body 20. The adhesive layer 40 may be a cured adhesive, a cured semi-cured film, or the like. For example, the adhesive layer 40 may be a cured acrylic resin adhesive, a polyurethane resin adhesive, a polyester resin adhesive, or an epoxy resin adhesive.

[0028] According to this embodiment, instead of printing directly on the can body 20, a digitally printed printed label 30 is used to apply a pattern or the like to the can container 10. This makes it easier to print a pattern or the like than printing directly on the can body 20, and since the pattern or the like can be prepared in parallel with the molding of the can container 10, the productivity of the can container 10 having various patterns or the like can be improved. In particular, even if there is a difference in productivity between the can manufacturing process and the digital printing process, the can container 10 can be manufactured without impairing the productivity of the can manufacturing line. In addition, even under conditions where direct printing is relatively difficult, such as when the can body 20 has unevenness, a pattern or the like can be applied to the can body 20. In particular, when the printed label 30 is printed by inkjet printing, different patterns can be immediately printed on each of the can bodies 20, so that the can container 10 having a variety of patterns or the like can be easily provided. In particular, when the printed label 30 is printed by electrophotographic printing, printing can be performed faster than conventional gravure printing and flexo printing, as with inkjet printing, so that the can container 10 having a variety of patterns or the like can be provided in a short time.

[0029] 3 shows an example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment. The can container 10 in FIG. 3 further has a varnish layer 50 in addition to the components of the can container 10 in FIG.

[0030] The varnish layer 50 covers at least a portion of the resin film 32. The varnish layer 50 protects the can body 20 from external impacts and the like. When performing retort treatment, films such as the resin film 32 may become cloudy and white due to high temperature and moisture. By providing the varnish layer 50, it is possible to prevent the resin film from becoming cloudy and white.

[0031] The varnish layer 50 may be provided on at least the can body 200 of the can container 10. The varnish layer 50 may be formed so as to cover the entirety or a part of the resin film 32 of the can container 10.

[0032] The varnish layer 50 may contain a resin component. The resin component may contain a cured thermosetting acrylic resin, a thermosetting epoxy resin, or a thermosetting polyester resin, but may be a thermosetting epoxy resin from the viewpoint of transparency. The varnish layer 50 may further contain at least one selected from olefin-based hydrocarbons, paraffin-based hydrocarbons, oils and fats, wax, synthetic polymer-based resins, and organic fluorine compounds (hereinafter also referred to as "wax, etc."), but is not limited thereto. The varnish layer 50 may further contain a known additive. Examples of the additive include a leveling agent, an antifoaming agent, a cissing inhibitor, a fluorine-based compound, and a silicon-based compound. The thickness of the varnish layer 50 may be 0.5 μm or more and 15 μm or less. If the thickness of the varnish layer is less than 0.5 μm, the protective effect of the can body 20 and the effect of preventing the resin film from becoming cloudy are insufficient, and if the thickness exceeds 15 μm, the production speed decreases and a large amount of material is consumed, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

[0033] Fig. 4 shows an example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment. The can container 10 in Fig. 4 further has an inner surface protective layer 60 in addition to the can container 10 in Fig. 3. As an alternative to the structure in Fig. 4, some layers such as the varnish layer 50 may not be provided. The inner surface protective layer 60 protects the inner surface of the can body 20 and prevents the contents from coming into contact with the can body 20 and causing a reaction or the like.

[0034] The inner surface protective layer 60 may be formed by curing a known paint. The inner surface protective layer 60 may be a polyester film thermocompression bonded to the can body 20 or a resin film similar to the resin film 32.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows an example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment. The printed label 30 of the can container 10 in Fig. 5 further has a resin film 36 in addition to the resin film 32 and the digitally printed image layer 34. As an alternative to the structure in Fig. 5, some layers such as the varnish layer 50 and / or the inner surface protective layer 60 may not be provided.

[0036] The digitally printed image layer 34 is sandwiched between the resin film 32 and the resin film 36. This makes it possible to more firmly protect the digitally printed image layer 34. For example, it is possible to more reliably prevent the digitally printed image layer 34 from coming into contact with moisture during retort processing or the like.

[0037] The resin film 36 may be the same film as the resin film 32. Alternatively, it may be a different film. For example, the resin film 32 may be selected with emphasis on the protection function of the can container 10, and the resin film 36 may be selected with emphasis on the adhesion to the digitally printed image layer 34 and / or the adhesive layer 40. As an example, the resin film 32 may be thicker than the resin film 36. The resin film 36 may be opaque, but when a base layer 38 described later is provided, it is desirable that the resin film 36 is transparent so that the base can be visualized. If necessary, an adhesive layer such as an adhesive may be further provided between the digitally printed image layer 34 and the resin film 36.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows an example of the layer structure of the can container 10 in this embodiment. The printed label 30 of the can container 10 in Fig. 6 further has a base layer 38 in addition to the resin film 32, the digitally printed image layer 34, and the resin film 36. Instead of the structure in Fig. 6, some layers such as the resin film 36, the varnish layer 50, and / or the inner surface protective layer 60 may not be provided.

[0039] The undercoat layer 38 is formed between the can body 20 and the digitally printed image layer 34, and serves as a base for the digitally printed image layer 34. The undercoat layer 38 may be a pigmented ink layer or a metal thin film layer.

[0040] The pigment ink layer may be coated or printed with a solid pattern of a single color such as white, or may be printed with a repeating pattern such as stripes or a checkerboard. The pigment ink layer may be formed by coating or plate printing rather than digital printing. By not using digital printing, the pigment ink layer can be formed at low cost using general-purpose materials (pigments, etc.).

[0041] The pigment ink layer contains a resin component and a colorant such as a pigment. The colorant may be not only a normal color such as white or black, but also a metallic color such as gold or silver. When the base layer 38 is formed in a white solid pattern, the base layer 38 becomes a white background for the digitally printed image layer 34 on which the pattern or the like is formed, and therefore the beauty of the pattern or the like can be enhanced. In addition, costs can be controlled compared to when only the digitally printed image layer 34 including the base is formed.

[0042] The pigment ink layer may form an image that complements the pattern of the digitally printed image layer 34. For example, a color that occupies a large area of ​​the image formed on the surface of the can container 10 may be formed by the pigment ink layer, and the remaining part may be formed by the digitally printed image layer 34. The pigment ink layer may also form a pattern of a common part that does not differ for each product of the can container 10.

[0043] For example, when the pattern or the like to be printed on the surface of the can container 10 has a portion common to the product (such as the product name or basic design of the product) and a portion different for each product (such as a two-dimensional code that differs for each product), the common portion may be formed with a pigment ink layer, and the portion different for each product may be formed with the digitally printed image layer 34. These methods allow for cost control compared to when all the patterns or the like are formed with only the digitally printed image layer 34.

[0044] The metal thin film layer may be a metal thin film formed by deposition or the like on one surface of the resin film 36. For example, the metal thin film layer may be an aluminum deposition layer. When the base layer 38 is a metal thin film layer, the background of the digitally printed image layer 34 on which the pattern or the like is formed has a metallic luster, so that the pattern or the like can be given a luxurious feel.

[0045] The undercoat layer 38 may be of a single color or multiple colors. The undercoat layer 38 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers. The undercoat layer 38 may also be a layer in which a pigment ink layer and a metal thin film layer are combined.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows an example of the layer structure of a can container 10 in this embodiment. In the can container 10 in Fig. 7, a resin film 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of a can body 20, and a printed label 30 is adhered to the can body 20 by an adhesive layer 40. The inner surface protective layer 60 may also be a resin film. As an example, the can container 10 may be a resin-coated can in which both sides of a metal can body 20 are coated with a resin film such as a polyester film, and a printed label 30 consisting of a resin film 32 and a digitally printed image layer 34 is adhered via an adhesive layer 40 to the resin-coated can.

[0047] 7, it is possible to use a resin-coated can that does not require water during the molding process of the can body 20. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a can container 10 that has a small environmental impact.

[0048] Fig. 8 shows an example of a flow of a manufacturing method of the can container 10 of this embodiment by wet molding. The can container 10 of this embodiment can be manufactured by carrying out the processes of S100 to S800 in Fig. 8. For convenience of explanation, the processes of S100 to S800 will be explained in order, but at least some of these processes may be performed in parallel, or each step may be interchanged within the scope of the present invention. Also, some steps may be omitted.

[0049] First, in S100, wet forming is performed on a metal plate. Wet forming is a forming method that uses a lubricant when forming the can body 20. Next, each step of the wet forming will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows an example of a sub-flow of the wet forming in S100 in this embodiment. The wet forming in S100 includes steps S11 to S16.

[0050] In S11, uncoiler processing is performed. Specifically, the coiled metal plate that is to be the material for the can body 20 is uncoiled and stretched. The material for the metal plate may be, for example, aluminum or steel that is primarily composed of iron.

[0051] Next, in S12, a lubricant is applied to the metal plate stretched in S11. The lubricant functions as a lubricant and a coolant, and a known material is used.

[0052] Next, in S13, a cupping press is performed. Specifically, the metal plate to which the lubricant was applied in S12 is punched into a disk shape. Here, further drawing is performed to obtain a cup-shaped metal material.

[0053] Next, in S14, a bodymaker is performed. Specifically, the cup-shaped metal material obtained in S13 is subjected to drawing and ironing to form a cylindrical can-shaped container with a constant thickness of peripheral wall and a dome-shaped bottom. This forms the body 200 and bottom 300 of the can container 10.

[0054] Next, in S15, trimming is performed. Specifically, the tops of the can-shaped containers obtained in S14 are trimmed to be uniform.

[0055] Next, a washer is performed in S16. Specifically, the can-shaped container obtained in S15 is washed to remove lubricant and other dirt, and then dried. After S100, a process of S200 is performed.

[0056] In S200, the inner surface protective layer 60 is formed. For example, the inner surface of the can-shaped container may be coated with a transparent paint by spray painting. If the inner surface protective layer 60 is not provided (for example, the embodiment of FIG. 2), the process of S200 may be omitted. After S200, the process of S300 is performed.

[0057] In S300, the printed label 30 is manufactured. Specifically, digital printing is performed on one side of the resin film 32 to form a digitally printed image layer 34. The resin film 32 may be the one described in FIG. 2. Digital printing refers to a printing method that does not use a plate and allows on-demand printing. For example, the digital printing may be inkjet printing or electrophotographic printing. As an example, the printed label 30 may be manufactured by printing and forming an image or the like on the resin film 32 with inkjet ink or toner (hereinafter also simply referred to as "toner, etc."), and hardening and / or drying the image or the like.

[0058] In electrophotographic printing, a laser beam method or an electron beam method may be used. In addition, a powder toner or a liquid toner may be used as the toner. From the viewpoint of preventing or reducing the shrinkage of the resin film 32 due to thermal transfer, it is preferable to use a liquid toner, but this is not limited thereto.

[0059] In order to improve the adhesion between the resin film 32 and the toner, etc., the resin film 32 may be subjected to a surface treatment before printing. As an example, the resin film may be subjected to a corona treatment or plasma treatment, etc., and / or a primer layer, etc. may be formed. As the toner, etc., a known toner may be used.

[0060] A digitally printed image layer 34 made up of multiple layers may be formed on the resin film 32 by performing printing multiple times. In this case, some of the multiple printings may not be digital printing but may be plate printing such as gravure printing, or all of them may be digital printing.

[0061] In one embodiment, another resin film 36 may be laminated on the digitally printed image layer 34. This realizes the printed label 30 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In one embodiment, a protective layer in place of the resin film 36 may be formed by applying a transparent paint or the like on the digitally printed image layer 34, curing and drying it.

[0062] In one embodiment, a base layer 38 may be further formed on the upper side (opposite side to the resin film 32) of the resin film 36 or the protective layer. In this way, the printed label 30 according to FIG. 6 is realized.

[0063] The base layer 38 may be a pigment ink layer formed by coating or printing a pigment ink. For example, the pigment ink layer may be formed by coating such as gravure coating, or by plate printing such as gravure printing. As an example, a pigment ink is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 20 and dried, thereby forming a pigment ink layer on at least a part of the surface of the printed label 30.

[0064] The underlayer 38 may be a metal thin film layer formed on at least a portion of the surface of the printed label 30. For example, the metal thin film layer may be formed by vapor deposition of a metal such as aluminum. Alternatively, the metal thin film layer may be formed by attaching a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0065] It should be noted that the process of S300 does not have to be performed after S100-S200, but may be performed in parallel with or prior to the processes of S100-S200. Next, the process of S400 is performed.

[0066] In S400, the printed label 30 including the digitally printed image layer and the resin film produced in S300 is attached to the can body 20 of the can-shaped container obtained in S200 (or S100). For example, an adhesive or a semi-cured film obtained by semi-curing an adhesive may be placed between the outer peripheral surface of the can-shaped container and the printed label 30, and the printed label 30 may be bonded to the can-shaped container. The adhesive may be appropriately selected in consideration of the adhesiveness between the adhesive surface of the printed label 30 (i.e., the surface opposite to the resin film 32) and the can-shaped container. For example, the adhesive may be, but is not limited to, an acrylic resin adhesive, a polyurethane resin adhesive, a polyester resin adhesive, or an epoxy resin adhesive.

[0067] This forms an adhesive layer 40 between the can body 20 that forms a can-shaped container and the printed label 30. If a pigmented ink layer or a metal thin film layer is formed on the surface of the printed label 30, adhesion may be performed so that the pigmented ink layer or the metal thin film layer is positioned between the can body and the printed label. Next, the process of S500 is performed.

[0068] In S500, a varnish layer 50 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can-shaped container (i.e., the resin film 32). For example, a varnish composition may be applied to a part or the entire outer peripheral surface of the can-shaped container, and cured to form the varnish layer 50. The varnish composition may contain a resin component, wax, an organic solvent, and additives as necessary. The resin component may contain a cured thermosetting acrylic resin, a thermosetting epoxy resin, or a thermosetting polyester resin. Curing may be performed by heating, blowing air, ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, or a combination of these.

[0069] S500 (i.e., formation of the varnish layer 50) may be performed during S300 (i.e., production of the printed label 30). In this case, the varnish layer 50 may be formed in advance on one of both sides of the resin film 32 opposite to the side on which the digitally printed image layer 34 is formed, prior to printing. Alternatively, the varnish layer 50 may be formed after printing.

[0070] Furthermore, in the case where the can container 10 does not include the varnish layer 50 (for example, the embodiment in FIG. 2), the process of S500 may be omitted. Next, the process of S600 is performed.

[0071] Neck processing is performed in S600. Neck processing (also called necking) forms one end of the can-shaped container to form a lid portion 100 for later seaming. A reduced diameter portion may be formed during neck processing. Methods known in the can manufacturing field may be used for neck processing.

[0072] The necking may be performed between S100 and S400. The printed label 30 is attached to the can container 10 that has already been necked. In this case, the printed label 30 may be attached to at least the body portion 200.

[0073] By carrying out the necking, a can container 10 is formed having a lid portion 100, a body portion 200, and a bottom portion 300. Next, the process of S700 is carried out.

[0074] In S700, the can container 10 is inspected. For example, the outer or inner surface of the can container 10 is inspected for dents, holes, scratches, stains, etc. For example, the can container 10 is inspected for a pattern or the like formed on the can container 10 being sufficiently clear, and for printing misalignment, chipping, bleeding, etc. The inspection may be performed by an inspection device or by human visual inspection. Next, the process of S800 is performed.

[0075] In S800, the inspected can container 10 is filled with the contents. A can lid is attached to the can container 10 filled with the contents. Filling with the contents and attaching the can lid may be performed by a known method. For example, a can lid provided with a drinking spout may be placed on the can container 10, and the can lid may be fixed to the can container 10 by rolling and seaming.

[0076] S100 to S200 may be performed at a can manufacturing plant. S300 may be performed at a label manufacturing plant. S400 to S800 may be performed at a bottler. However, as described above, S500 may be performed at the label manufacturing plant together with S300. When steps from S400 onwards are performed at a bottler, the can manufacturing plant stores the can containers to which the printed label 30 is not attached.

[0077] In this case, even if the design or other features are changed, the bottler can paste the new design or features onto the can container, which reduces the number of can containers to be discarded. In addition, because the design or features are formed using digital printing, design changes can be made more quickly and with greater freedom. In addition, since there is no need to store many different types of printed can containers at the can manufacturing factory, it is also advantageous in terms of storage costs and can meet the needs of small lots of many different types of products.

[0078] Alternatively, steps S100 to S700 may be performed at the can factory, and step S800 may be performed at the bottler. The division of steps between the can factory and the bottler is not limited to this.

[0079] Fig. 10 shows an example of a flow of a manufacturing method of the can container 10 of this embodiment by dry molding. The can container 10 of this embodiment can be manufactured by the processes of S110 to S800 in Fig. 10. For convenience of explanation, the processes of S110 to S800 will be explained in order, but at least some of these processes may be executed in parallel, or each step may be interchanged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Explanation of steps of S110 to S800 that are common to the steps in Fig. 8 will be omitted.

[0080] First, in S110, dry forming is performed on the metal coil material. Dry forming is a forming method that does not use a lubricant when forming the can body 20. Therefore, a large amount of water is not consumed for cleaning the lubricant, and the environmental load can be reduced. Next, each step of the dry forming will be described with reference to FIG.

[0081] 11 shows an example of a subflow of the dry molding of S110 in this embodiment. The dry molding of S100 includes steps S11, S120, S13, S14, and S15. Among these, the processes of S11, S13, S14, and S15 may be the same as the corresponding processes in the wet molding shown in FIG.

[0082] In the dry molding, S120 is performed after S11. Next, in S120, a resin film is laminated on the metal plate stretched in S11. For example, the resin film may be heat-pressed onto both sides or one side of the metal plate. When the resin film is laminated onto both sides of the metal plate, the shape is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and the resin film on the inner side of the laminated resin film functions as the inner protective layer 60.

[0083] The resin film may be a thermoplastic resin, preferably a polyester film. A thermosetting resin may be used in place of a plastic resin in the resin film. For example, a thermosetting acrylic resin, a thermosetting epoxy resin, a thermosetting polyurethane resin, or a thermosetting polyester resin may be used. As an example of lamination, the method described in JP-A-2004-25640 may be used.

[0084] According to this embodiment, by applying a resin film to the can body, it is possible to provide appropriate slipperiness during can molding without using a lubricant. Since no lubricant is used in the flow of Fig. 11, the washer process in S16 of Fig. 9 can be omitted, but the washer may be used to remove dirt, etc.

[0085] If necessary, a lubricant may be applied after laminating the resin film. In this case, the washer treatment in S16 may be performed in the same manner as in FIG.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the can body, can container, and method shown in the claims, specification, and drawings is not specifically indicated as "before," "prior to," etc., and can be realized in any order, as long as the can body or can container from the previous process is not used in the subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specification, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Can containers 20 can body 30 Printed Labels 32 Resin film 34 Digital Printing Image Layers 36 Resin Film 38 Base layer 40 Adhesive layer 50 varnish layers 60 Inner protective layer 70 Resin Film 100 Lid 200 Torso 300 bottom 400 designs 500 characters

Claims

1. Cylindrical can body, a digitally printed image layer covering at least a portion of an outer periphery of the can body; A resin film that covers the can body and the digitally printed image layer; and A varnish layer covering at least a portion of the resin film; Equipped with said digitally printed image layer being an electrophotographically printed image layer; The digitally printed image layer is an electrophotographically printed image layer using liquid toner. Tin container.

2. The resin film is a PET film. The can container according to claim 1.

3. Between the can body and the digitally printed image layer, Equipped with a pigment ink layer The can container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Between the can body and the digitally printed image layer, A metal thin film layer is provided. A can container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A cylindrical can body, a digitally printed image layer covering at least a portion of an outer periphery of the can body; A resin film that covers the can body and the digitally printed image layer; and A varnish layer covering at least a portion of the resin film; Equipped with A method for manufacturing a can container, wherein the digitally printed image layer is an electrophotographically printed image layer, manufacturing a printed label having the electrophotographically printed image layer formed on the resin film by electrophotographically printing a liquid toner on the resin film; and A label attachment step of attaching a printed label including the digitally printed image layer and the resin film so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the can body. A method for manufacturing can containers.

6. The ink layer forming step further comprises forming a pigment ink layer on at least a part of the surface of the printed label, The labeling step is performed such that the pigment ink layer is positioned between the can body and the printed label. The method for producing the can container according to claim 5 .

7. The ink layer forming step includes: A step of applying a pigment ink to the outer peripheral surface of the can body by gravure coating and drying the same. The method for producing the can container according to claim 6.

8. A metal thin film layer forming step is further provided for forming a metal thin film layer on at least a part of the surface of the printed label, The labeling step is performed such that the metal thin film layer is positioned between the can body and the printed label. The method for producing the can container according to claim 6.

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